words.sounds.shows.secrets.san francisco.nyc.austin.usa.

July 31, 2005

Saturday's Chillin event was a big success, check out my LiveJournal for a camera phone photo of the ginormous crowd. Lots of people-watching and getting to hang out with Audree (her Dutchy booth was next to mine) plus getting paid cash for things I made. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday night.

Today I got perhaps the best surprise gift EVAR:It's a tote bag made out of a copy of Heart's Little Queen on vinyl. This rules because I named my jewelry line after this record (and song), plus the fact that I want to be Nancy Wilson. No one could possibly appreciate this little tote bag more than me. Pet-sitting for Jet and Nemo is fun enough without getting an amazing present. Thanks Audree!

July 29, 2005

When Charo's publicist contacted me, I must admit I wasn't man enough to tackle interviewing Charo myself (I was too intimidated). But I didn't relent until I found the bravest SFist on our team, MattyMatt, and harangued him into accepting the challenge. He is now my hero. We can't wait to go see her at Herbst on 8/6.

Says Charo:

"Hello! I am so happy to be bringing original music of today for dancing! I am performing a new style, neosalsa and neoflamenco, because every day I want to improve myself, tomorrow when I wake up I am searching for something better. I'm going to have a bigger thing, ahead of our time, if you love dancing, you gonna wow!"

July 27, 2005

Nyla scooped me on blogging about Criss Angel's "Mindfreak" TV show. After seeing the promos, I was a little disappointed at the actual show because I wanted him to be even cheesier than he actually is (the show's theme song and freak-show outro's notwithstanding). Unfortunately, the it's-so-bad-it's-good factor is lacking.

My copy of Imogen Heap's latest CD speak for yourself just came in the mail! I actually bought it from her website/UK label and paid $22US for it. Some U.S. record company needs to wise up and release it. Hello -- the woman has been on the soundtracks to Garden State and "The O.C." What more do you need?

July 24, 2005

I'd say no, as long as you're up for some sleep deprivation. Last week I saw five shows, all of which were fantastic, four of which included good old friends from out of town performing. It was great to see Fil, JD (for two whole days) and Ian. (I wish I could say Sufjan was my friend, or my suitor, but alas I've never met the chap.) The Knitters' new album, The Modern Sounds of the Knitters, is out and you should own it. Those kids successfully avoided the sophomore slump.

After our Friday afternoon in-office happy hour, I walked over to Ian's show at Hotel Utah, and when that was finished a group of us went round the corner, literally, to have a house party at another friend's office. So I managed to spend 16 hours at three different places which were all within a block of each other.

Last night Audree and I went to a fashion show that featured her bags. It was fun to see the creative vision of 7 or 8 different independent designers. One of the designers was a handsome rocker looking guy, who I knew I'd seen somewhere before. I bought a really cute hoodie from him and did my best to refrain from asking "Where do I know you from?" Which was a good thing, because after racking my brain all night, I think I remember seeing him on an episode of "Blind Date."

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Promotional "The" CDs that landed in my mailbox this week: The Cranes, The Occasion, and The Veronicas. I've never listened to The Cranes before (gasp!) but I'm digging the record. Mellow, atmospheric, otherworldly. The Veronicas album came with an exuberant note from their record label and an entertaining bio (their "dynamic Sire Records debut album kicks the "Wow Factor" up a notch or two"). Listening to the album and looking at their photo (hot young twins), it's clear how they could appeal to Avril and Kelly Clarkson fans. It's solid radio pop rock and it will probably blow up. But I was a little taken aback by the lyrics to their song "Secret." Here's the chorus:

You can call me 6 times but still I won't pick up the phoneYou can spend all your money on me but I'll still say noYou can write a million letters every day confessing to meThat I am the girl of your dreamsBut nobody ever asked meI never looked at you that wayCuz I always thought you were gay

Now I'm not advocating for some uber-PC censorship, I just worry that this could give tweens and teens some unnecessary ammo for intolerance, however subtle it may be. Am I overreacting?

July 18, 2005

Remember when I told you I was one of 18 finalists for the MSN Road Tour? Well it's under way and you can read what the bloggers are saying here. I wonder if I was up for the rock spot or the alternative spot?

July 17, 2005

On Thursday night I saw a press screening of "Searching for the Wrong-Eyed Jesus," a film by Andrew Douglas. I'm writing a review of it for SFist, but I'll tell you now that seeing it is like watching a documentary, attending a concert, sitting through a feature film and reading a short story all at the same time. It's playing at the Balboa Theatre for one week starting on July 28th. If you like writing and music that's inspired by the south, or if you came from the south, GO SEE IT!

Read the latest "When The Lights Go Down In The City" on SFist.com. Everyone talks about how talented Sufjan Stevens is, and I wholeheartedly concur, but can I also mention that he's a dreamboat?

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The hijinks continue on the weekly hour-long Jonathan Hair Product ™ Infomercial, a.k.a. "Blow Out." Whoever wrote the scripts for the second season is a marketing genius, because each episode is about 20% run-of-the-mill reality show, and 80% thinly-veiled advertisement for the Jonathan product line. ("Guess what guys, we're in Sephora!" cha-ching! "I've got to go tell my girlfriend I'm going to be on QVC!" cha-ching!)

The first season had its obvious sponsors, including AmEx and Lens Crafters, and this season there's a cell phone company they mention periodically. But can you be a regular viewer of the show this season and NOT have a growing hankering to head to Sephora to buy some of the wares he's been hawking? Their not-so-subliminal advertising is working on me -- I'm totally going to buy some Dirt texturizing paste. And I wonder if The Pussycat Dolls is in on the deal too? I mean, Robin is his sister, but they're getting tons of lucrative advertising during the show as well.

Yes, the show has degenerated into an infomercial. No, I cannot stop watching!

July 11, 2005

Quick links:Read last Thursday's "When The Lights Go Down In The City." You could enter to win the indie-tastic soundtrack to Wedding Crashers. (We're giving away a pair of tickets to see the brilliant Sufjan Stevens in my column this coming Thursday (thanks to SFist Emily). That's a scoop just for you.)

Read my review of Esthero's show last Friday at the Fillmore. It was fantastic!

You know what's good? The Shout Out Louds' Howl Howl Gaff Gaff record. The terrible name of both band and album almost forced me to ignore it despite the fact that they are Swedes. (Maybe "howl howl gaff gaff" means something really cool in Swedish?) But I found it on Rhapsody so I checked it out and it's seriously good. I should describe it, but I'd rather eat dinner (time constraints!) Trust me, it's worth a listen. And look how cute they are. They're playing in SF next week, opening for Secret Machines and Kings of Leon at The Fillmore (7/18, 19 and 20!) so get there early if you have tickets. I have a stupid 5-shows-in-a-row schedule next week, but I just might have to double up.

July 05, 2005

Being back in the full time working world is quite a change! I need to dust off my rusty time management skills to juggle SFist duties, other writing gigs, shows, KB/dance, socializing, and everything else. Let's see how my new schedule affects how often I blog.

The holiday weekend was dedicated to BBQs -- Penn had one on Sunday at his house with tons of food and lots of cool people. My upstairs neighbors hosted yesterday's BBQ, with more great food and lots of nice new people to meet. I was chatting with Penny and fellow SFist Sam's name came up (via her Becks & Posh blog) and Blakely's name came up while talking to Jen. She must have heard us, because a little while later she and Xav showed up, which was a treat (even though we'd been to the Diamond Nights show together the night before). Jen has a line of fantastic t-shirts called Lacquer (sp?) that should be available at RAG soon. We watched the fireworks from Crystal and Emmett's cozy living room -- we've got quite a view here.

Finally, in a gross self-referential display, I'm going to link to one of my own posts, but for good reason. I want you to scroll to the bottom of the comments to read about the idea that kind commenter Uncle Wendy shared about doing the Record Club online. Genius idea Uncle W, thanks for sharing!